The Letters

The correspondence of Katherine Morris and Eugenia Lewis:

6 July 1793
Hollingdale, Kent

My dearest K,

So much has changed! When Mr. MacDonald arrived at Armstrong House two days ago, I never realized how much our lives would change. I cannot, however, say that I was too upset to say farewell to my aunt, for she was determined to make my life miserable, I assure you! She would not allow me to attend Almack's on Wednesday because we are in mourning. Really, as if Father would have wished us to sit around and be gloomy all night.

We are in Kent, but soon we will be in Ireland! We travelled with a member of -- no, I cannot tell you who they are, it is too secret. I shall refer to him as C. We travelled with C to the estate of Lord Fenworth and arrived in the middle of a ball in honor of his eldest daughter. Though I was exhausted from the travel, I danced four dances anyway! And can you believe it, Lord Fenworth even persuaded Stephen to dance! He looked like a scarecrow out there, and I do believe he was shaking from fear. But he did not disgrace the family name.

I am sure you have heard stories of the Duke of Warrington even in Paris. He is the American who inherited the dukedom and renounced his American citizenship. He is a guest of Lord Fenworth's, as is the Count de Chareau and Madame du Motier. Have you heard of Madame de Chareau's escape from the guillotine? She is the cousin of Chareau, and she told me the story this morning at breakfast. She also told me that he fought a duel just this morning to defend her honor, and that the man who had insulted her was defeated by him! I wish I could have been there to see it myself.

But still I have not yet told you the most exciting part of the story. Someone kidnapped Lord Liam and demanded that Mr. MacDonald and his plans be turned over to him or he would kill him! There was a dreadful fight, but Lord Liam is back safe and sound. Because our presence is obviously putting Lord Fenworth and his family at risk, it has been decided that we should take Mr. MacDonald someplace else, someplace secret.

And so we are going to Ireland. All I know about our destination is that it is a Norman castle and that we should be safe there. C told us that our father's death is related to Mr. MacDonald's invention, but he does not know how, nor does he know the specifics of the invention. No one does, save Mr. MacDonald, and he refuses to tell anyone because he doesn't wish to imperil others. No one has told me where in Ireland we are to go, but I do not care. Wherever it is, I am sure we will have a grand adventure.

But I have saved the best news for last. Kevin -- that is, Lord Armstrong -- is going to meet us in Ireland. Truly, he is the handsomest man of my acquaintance, Katherine. One day I even told him of my belief -- the belief about my life "before," and he did not laugh at me as others have. Of course, the Duke of Warrington is also quite handsome, and he did not dance with any lady more than once at Lady Emily's ball. Lady Caroline seems to have developed a tendre for him, however, and says she's determined to bring him up to scratch. The Comte de Chareau is a dreadful flirt, except with Madame du Motier, but they do look at one another quite a bit, or so it seemed to me.

I shall write you as soon as I can to let you know the latest advancements.

Your affectionate and devoted friend,
E.L.